South-Western Sydney Local Health District staff have shown their willingness to help patients extends far beyond the hospital walls.

In fact, their generosity has also helped those in need overseas.

As part of the Workplace Giving program, certain staff across the entire district donate $1 from their pay each week.

As a result of those donations, the founder of the Barbara May Foundation, Valerie Browning, was given a $40,000 cheque during a visit to Campbelltown Hospital on Monday.

The foundation provides maternal care in the horn of Africa – including Ethiopia, Somalia, Djibouti and Eritrea – and mainly targets women who live in remote regions, not accessible by roads.

The pre-natal and post-natal services – like check-ups and deliveries – offered by the foundation are ones that are often free to mothers and their babies in Australia.

Clinical support officer and Workplace Giving program ambassador Nigel Ingram said the decision to part ways with a $1 each week wasn’t difficult.

“We take for granted the services we have here because we don’t realise that in other parts of the world, they aren’t available,” he said. “I felt it was something easy to do and I’m not going to miss $1 a week. And what greater gift is there other than the gift of life?”